Industrial process control system

ABSTRACT

An industrial process control system to be used with processes which are geographically spread out over a relatively wide field area, with portions thereof located in respective zones, and wherein the process has associated therewith a large number of instrumentation elements including sensing elements and operating elements for controlling actuators such as process valves. The control system includes a central station with a digital computer which directs signals to a number of primary transmitter/receiver units each producing a swept-carrier wireless signal for transmission to a respective one of the field area zones. Within each zone are a plurality of local transmitter/receiver units similar to the primary units, with each local unit being assigned to one or more sensing elements and/or one or more operating elements. The local units continuously monitor the signals from the corresponding primary unit, and, when instructed by signals from the primary unit, carry out specified actions concenring the process element(s) assigned thereto. Actions to be taken include repositioning a process valve, changing the set-point of a controller, and transmitting back to the primary unit signals representing data needed for control of the process. The swept-carrier transmissions of the primary units are synchronized and controlled so that the carrier frequencies thereof are all different at substantially all instants of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to industrial process control systems used withprocesses which are spread out geographically over relatively largeareas, yet are to be controlled from a central operating station. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to improved means for handling thetransfer of data and control instructions between the central stationand the geographically remote regions of the process, including datafrom sensing elements and instructions for operating elements such asprocess valves.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A considerable number of process control systems have been proposed anddescribed in the art, and many have gone into commercial use. In morerecent years, digital computers have been extensively used with processcontrol systems to monitor functioning of the process and to direct theoverall functioning of the control system. Such computer-directedsystems have generally been classified as (1) supervisory controlsystems, wherein the computer develops set-point signals for individualcontrollers associated with each process valve, or (2) direct digitalcontrol systems, wherein the computer develops valve-control signals tobe sent directly to valve-positioning equipment for each valve. Selectedprior art disclosures of typical systems may be found in U.S. Pat. No.3,582,621 (Lawler), U.S. Pat. No. 3,761,889 (Halley et al), and U.S.Pat. No. 3,971,000 (Cromwell).

The earlier computer-control systems generally used conventional solidwire conductors for transferring data, in the form of DC signals,between the central station and the system elements in the field. Thus,electrical conductors in heavy shields were led from the sensingelements, valves, etc., to junction boxes, and from there to central orother processors. For relatively large systems, the cost of suchconventional wired data transfer networks has become very great, becausethey are expensive to install and involve high costs of planning,layout, and documentation. Improvements have been effected bytransmitting the data part of the way in digital format through cableswhich serve a number of process elements, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,760,374 (Nabi). But nevertheless it is clear that there is an urgentneed for a fresh solution to the problem of transferring processinformation and control signals between a central location and outlyingregions of a geographically-dispersed process.

In a process control system, the transfer of measurement and controlsignal data must meet very stringent requirements. Paramount is the needfor reliability, since the loss of proper signal information can lead tosevere injury and costly damage to a process. It also is necessary toprovide for privacy and freedom from external interference. The wiredsignal transfer arrangements used heretofore have been excellent in allthese respects, but as noted above, this goal has been achieved only atvery great economic cost. Thus it is desired to provide for datatransfer at significantly reduced cost, while still maintaining thehighest of reliability and other important quality standards.

It has been known that data transfer in a process control system couldbe effected at relatively low cost by the use of modulatedhigh-frequency signals, particularly by radio carrier links. However, noappreciable use of such techniques has heretofore been made in processcontrol systems, primarily because the relatively low cost types oftransmission equipment were viewed as being insufficiently reliable orfree from external interference. For example, it is clear that thecommonly-used amplitude and frequency modulation systems are subject toconsiderable interference from the electrical noise sources typicallyencountered around an industrial process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been found that there is a type of high frequency signaltransmission which can successfully be adapted for use with industrialprocess control systems. This type is referred to herein as"swept-carrier", because it includes a high-frequency transmitterproducing a carrier which is repetitively swept through a wide range offrequencies about some nominal center frequency. While being so swept,the carrier is further modulated with data signals containinginformation to be transferred to a remote location. The receiver at suchlocation must track the carrier frequency, so as to permit narrow-bandfiltering for rejection of noise interference. Privacy is excellent insuch a data transfer system, and reliability of performance in thepresence of industrial noise can be made desirably high.

Swept-carrier type of transmitting equipment has been known for a verylong time, and may have found use in certain special applications notrelated to industrial process control. As one example of priordisclosures of such equipment, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No.2,448,055 (Silver, et al). A swept-carrier tracking receiver also isdisclosed in detail in copending application Ser. No. 790,156, nowabandoned filed by Victor A. Bennett, and assigned to the assignee ofthis application.

In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, acentral process control station, having for example a digital computerof known characteristics for receiving process data and for developingprocess control commands, is coupled to a primary swept-carriertransmitter/receiver unit adapted to transmit high-frequency signalsthroughout a remote field area zone where there are a number ofcondition sensing elements (e.g. devices to measure flow rate,temperature, etc.) producing corresponding measurement signals, and anumber of operating elements, for process valves and the like, whichmust be controlled by appropriate control signals. Also in the remotefield area zone are a number of local swept-carrier transmitter/receiverunits (LTRs), each assigned to one or more condition sensing elementsand/or operating elements.

The primary transmitter/receiver unit (referred to herein as the ZTR for"zone transmitter/receiver") is furnished by the computer with sets ofcommand signals containing, e.g. in digital format, instruction signalsspecifying actions to be taken at a particular LTR, and also containingaddress signals identifying that LTR as the intended recipient of theaccompanying instruction signals. All of the LTRs continuously track theZTR swept-carrier transmission, and all include means for decoding thesignal data superimposed on the carrier. When any LTR decodes its ownaddress, control equipment within the LTR is automatically activated tocarry out the accompanying instructions. For example, the LTR mayinterpret the received data signals and in response thereto produce acontrol signal directing a process valve to move to a new position, orproduce a prescribed set-point signal for a local process controllerassociated with a respective variable condition of the process.Alternatively, the LTR may produce signals causing the LTR to switchfrom "receive" mode to "transmit" mode, to send back to the ZTR aswept-carrier signal modulated with data signals representing themeasurement signal from a condition sensing element assigned to thatLTR. In the latter event, the ZTR will be switched, under computercontrol, to its "receive" mode to receive the measurement signal data,and will transfer the information on to the computer for use in itsongoing monitoring and control functions.

In a further aspect of the preferred system, the central station isorganized to control a plurality of primary transmitter/receiver units,each associated with a corresponding geographical zone of the processfield area. Thus, the central computer furnishes all of the ZTRs withcommand data, which each will forward on to each addressed LTR in itszone for action. In accordance with a highly advantageous feature of theinvention, special means are provided to prevent cross-talk between anyof the zones, so that no LTR of one zone will inadvertently track theswept-carrier signal of the ZTR of another zone. Moreover, this resultis achieved in a manner permitting efficient spectrum utilization, withfull or nearly full overlapping of the individual zone frequency ranges.

Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will in part bepointed out in, and in part apparent from, the following detaileddescription, considered together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary industrial process, showingin block diagram format the swept-carrier transmitter/receiver unitsassociated with the central station and with the remote field areaprocess units;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic presentation outlining the multi-zone aspect ofthe process control system;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a transmitter for producing a periodicswept-carrier wave;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a tracking receiver for a periodically sweptcarrier;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a zone transmitter/receiver (ZTR)arrangement;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating different localtransmitter/receiver (LTR) arrangements;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a sequence of operational steps carriedout by a local transmitter/receiver;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the frequency occupancy of one type ofmulti-zone system;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the sweep pattern of another type ofmulti-zone system; and

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the frequency occupancy of the systemof FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary industrial process is shown forthe purpose of pictorially illustrating the typical geographicalcharacteristic wherein portions of a process are spread out over a widefield area. The process shown includes a nearby process unit consistingof a pair of catalytic crackers generally indicated at 10, and a moredistant process unit generally indicated at 12. At the left in FIG. 1 isshown a central control station 14, having a digital computer 16 withassociated equipment including for example an operator's console 18 withdata-entry keyboard facilities and the like.

Connected to the central station 14 are two swept-carriertransmitter/receiver units 20, 22 referred to herein as primary or"zone" transmitter/receiver units (ZTR for short), and which will bedescribed in detail hereinbelow. The actual number of such units usedfor any given installation will depend upon the nature and complexity ofthe process, with two having been shown in FIG. 1 only for convenienceof illustration. These units are controlled by the computer 16, and formost of their operation they will be held in transmit mode producingswept-carrier transmissions directed to the field area zones occupied bythe process units 10 and 12.

The process units 10, 12 have associated therewith the usual kinds ofinstrumentation equipment, a portion of which is illustratively shown inthe form of sensing elements 24, 26 and process valves 28, 30 with thenearby process unit 10. Each device is connected to a respectiveswept-carrier transmitter/receiver unit 34, 36, 38 and 40 assignedthereto. These units are referred to herein as localtransmitter/receiver units (LTRs). Each includes equipment for receivingand tracking the swept-carrier signal developed by the associated ZTR20, and for transmitting back to that ZTR swept-carrier signals whichare received and tracked by the receiver portion of that ZTR unit. Theprocess unit 10 typically will include other instrumentation, theelements of which will be connected to further LTRs illustratively shownat 42, 44. The other process unit 12 will have its own instrumentation,which in turn will be connected to respective LTRs (not shown) fortransferring data to and from the other ZTR 22.

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the geographical arrangement andoperation of a multi-zone system such as shown pictorially in FIG. 1.Each ZTR is symbolically indicated as a solid dot at the center of acircle zone representing the effective range of the ZTR transmissioncapability, e.g. having a radius of 200 feet. Sensors and actuatorscommunicating with the ZTRs are indicated by the symbol "X", and asshown may be anywhere within the corresponding ZTR circle zone, often inclusters. The zones may overlap, such that certain LTRs can be foundwithin more than one zone.

Each ZTR is coupled to the central station 14 by a respective link,shown schematically in FIG. 2, and which preferably will be a wired linksince typically the amount of wiring required between the centralstation and the ZTRs will not be excessively great. However, it will beunderstood that other types of connecting links can be used, includingwireless.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a swept-carrier transmitter includes an FMmodulator 50 which receives its modulation signal from a summing device52 one input of which is connected to a sweep source 54, e.g. producinga sine-wave signal. The summing device also receives at its other inputdata signals from a data source 56, e.g. producingfrequency-shift-keying (FSK) signals. The modulated wave is passedthrough an RF amplifier 58 to an antenna 60. The transmitter carrierfrequency is swept by the sweep signal about a nominal center frequency,and the carrier is additionally frequency-modulated in accordance withthe output of the data source 56.

It will be evident to those versed in the art that many variations ofthis transmitter configuration may be used in practice. For example, thetransmitter could comprise frequency-changing means for the FM carriersuch as mixers and/or multipliers, and the FM modulator may be the finalstage feeding the antenna. Also, the data signal source may be used toamplitude or phase modulate the carrier. In any event, in the absence ofa sweep, the modulated carrier would occupy a bandwidth defined by thedata modulation sidebands and the uncertainty of the carrier centerfrequency. With the sweep added, this frequency occupancy would shift upand down throughout the carrier frequency sweep range. The receiver willincorporate tracking means to automatically follow this shifting of thetransmitter frequency, so that the net frequency occupancy of thecarrier can be filtered through a narrowband sweep-tracking filter.

FIG. 4 shows a receiver capable of tracking the swept-carrier signalfrom the transmitter of FIG. 3. (Note: Further details on such areceiver will be found in the abovementioned copending application Ser.No. 790,156.) The swept carrier received by the antenna 70 isintensified by a wideband amplifier 72 and is fed to one input of amixer 74 the output of which is fed to an IF amplifier 76 having arelatively narrow pass band. The other input to the mixer 74 is acarrier generated by an FM modulator 78 that is swept in a mannersimilar to that of the received carrier, but is not modulated by data.For example, the modulator 78 may be a voltage-controlled oscillatorproducing a carrier the center frequency of which differs from that ofthe received carrier by the IF center frequency, but wherein the sweepis identical in rate and phase while the sweep range is almost the sameas that of the received carrier. The difference-frequency component atthe output of the mixer 74 is of the IF center frequency, with onlylittle shift in its center frequency, representing the tracking errorsignal.

The resulting wave at the input of the IF amplifier 76 is ofconsiderably narrower bandwidth than the full range of the receivedcarrier frequency sweep, and is filtered by the narrow pass band of theIF amplifier. This filtering of the carrier is important in order toeliminate as much as possible all interfering signals before detectionof the carrier takes place in a demodulator 80 which in this case is inthe form of an FM discriminator. The data on the carrier may be obtainedat the output of this discriminator if the carrier wasfrequency-modulated, or at the output of a separate detector 82 if themodulation was of a different kind.

An important aspect of a sweep tracking receiver is the method by whichthe tracking is synchronized and made selective to a particular sweep ofthe incoming carrier. For this purpose in the receiver of FIG. 4, theoutput of the FM discriminator 80 is applied to a feedback circuit whichautomatically controls the frequency of the FM modulator 78. Thediscriminator output provides an error signal related to the frequencydeviation of the carrier at its input including a component at the sweepfrequency. This component may be appropriately conditioned in accordancewith known techniques, i.e. filtered, adjusted in level and shape ifnecessary, by an error-signal conditioner 84. The conditioned errorsignal is used to synchronize a phase-locked loop (PLL) 86 which is ofnarrowband design, thus synchronizing only to the component of the sweepfrequency and rejecting all other components of the discriminator outputsignal. Due to the large time constants associated with a narrowbandPLL, it will retain synchronism over a relatively short duration even ifthe synchronizing signal is interrupted.

The output of the PLL 86 is, by the properties of a synchronized PLL,identical in frequency and fixed in its phase relationship to the sweepsignal required to be fed to the FM modulator 78 to maintain tracking ofthe incoming signal. A sweep signal conditioner 88 may be included toadjust for difference in phase or time delay. In addition, it may beused to attenuate, amplify, and shape the output of the PLL to render itidentical in shape to the sweep of the received carrier and appropriatein amplitude for controlling the FM modulator.

As an operating example, consider the case where the received carrier,quiescently at 100 MHz, is being swept in a sinusoidal manner over therange of ±1.0 MHz at a rate of 20 KHz. Consider now that the FMmodulator 78 has a quiescent frequency of 90 MHz and a sinusoidal sweepover the range of ±0.99 MHz, but of the same rate and phase as thereceived carrier. The difference-frequency component at the output ofthe mixer 74 will be of quiescent frequency 10 MHz, i.e. the IF centerfrequency, with a sinusoidal sweep range of ±10 KHz, which representsthe tracking error signal. Thus the narrowband IF amplifier 76 must bewide enough to accommodate only this remainder of the sweep and thebandwidth due to the modulation imposed by data.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a combined swept-carriertransmitter/receiver unit configured as a primary transmitter/receiverunit, or ZTR. It uses a single antenna 89 for both the transmitter 90and the receiver 92. The central station 14, serving as a communicationscenter, controls all of the ZTRs including the one illustrated here. Itprovides through one channel 94 the transmit-receive control signal foractivating the transmitter and antenna switch 96 and also providesthrough another channel 98 a sweep signal to both the transmitter 90 andthe receiver 92 to effect system synchronism. The computer at thecentral station also forwards through a channel 100 command signals tothe transmitter for relay to the LTRs, and obtains through a channel 102the data received by the receiver 92 for processing. Each set of commandsignals sent to the LTRs will include both address signals, to identifythe LTR which is to be the recipient, and instruction signals,specifying the actions to be performed at the LTR. FIG. 7 illustratesthe typical sequence of events as the LTRs monitor the ZTR signals, andcarry out the instructions contained in the command signals.

Referring now to FIG. 6A which shows one LTR configuration, the receiver110 may be of the type described with reference to FIG. 4, and isnormally connected to the antenna 112. The demodulated binary datasignals it develops are directed to a data interpretation unit 114 usingknown technology for analyzing each set of command signals which, forexample, may take the form of a 100 bit serial signal. Theinterpretation unit includes an address detection section 116 whichdecodes the address portion of the mesesage to determine whether theaddress identifies the particular LTR as the intended recipient. If itdoes, the address detection section sends a logic signal in the usualway to a function control section 118 which, in response thereto and tothe received instruction signal portion of the data signals, carries outthe required action steps by means of conventional logic circuitry. Thedetails of such circuitry will be evident to one of skill in this art,and thus are not described herein in order to simplify the disclosure.In FIG. 6A configuration, the instruction may be to read out themeasurement signal from one or more sensing elements 120, and for thatpurpose the function control section sends a switchover signal to theantenna switch 122, and an enabling signal to a data interface 124which, in turn, builds an appropriate digital return message which isdirected to the transmitter 126 for relay on to the ZTR.

In this illustration, no more than one LTR replies to the ZTR at eachinstant of time. The return message may typically be of relatively shortduration so that the receiver 110 does not lose sweep synchronism withthe ZTR as a consequence of the brief interruption of reception whilethe LTR is in the transmit mode. A short-term sweep memory for thispurpose may if desired be provided by the narrowband PLL 86 as describedearlier. From this sweep memory, the receiver may feed the sweep signalto the transmitter 126. Since the sweep of the sweep memory of thereceiver 110 is synchronized with the sweep signal from the centralstation (see FIG. 5), the receiver 92 at the ZTR need not be providedwith means for automatically tracking the swept carrier from the LTRbecause that tracking function can be performed by the already-availablesweep signal at the ZTR.

FIG. 6B shows an alternate form of LTR which is configured for use incontrolling a process valve or similar actuator. As before, the datasignals are directed to a data interpretation unit 114. If the addressdetection section of that unit detects its own address, the functioncontrol section will be activated as before to develop a control signalwhich is sent to a process valve element 130. This element, which maycomprise a valve actuator or some other form of control device,positions its associated process valve to a specified position or degreeof movement. The function control may also direct signals to the datainterface 124, instructing that unit to build a return message for theZTR, e.g. indicating the actual position of the valve. Such an LTR alsocan be used to control a group of valves, to provide increasedefficiency.

Alternatively, the LTR of FIG. 6B can be used to direct signals to oneor more operating elements in the form of process controllers ratherthan a valve element as shown in the drawing. Thus the instructionsignals sent to the LTR may comprise set-point signals for suchcontrollers, which also would be supplied with measurement signals fromassociated sensing elements. Each controller would in known fashionproduce control signals for an associated process valve or the like.Such a controller arrangement is pictorially illustrated at 140 inFIG. 1. The transmitter portion of the LTR could, in such an example, beused to transmit the measurement signal data back to the ZTR.

Reverting to FIG. 2, it will be understood that in a multi-zone systemthere normally will be transmissions in all zones simultaneously.Advantageously these transmissions may cover nearly-fully or fullyoverlapping frequency bands, and in such a case it may be desirable toarrange the system so that there can be no interference between thesetransmissions. In accordance with one aspect of this invention, suchresult is effected by an arrangement wherein, on an instantaneous basis,each of the transmissions is at a different frequency.

FIG. 8 illustrates one such arrangement for assuring that alltransmissions will be instantaneously at different frequencies. Assumefor the sake of illustration that zone No. 1 occupies the frequency bandfrom 99 MHz to 101 MHz, i.e., the carrier of zone No. 1 has a centerfrequency of 100 MHz and is swept over a range of ±1.0 MHz. Assumefurther that zone No. 2 is assigned the frequency band from 99.10 MHz to101.10 MHz, i.e., it has the same width of band as zone No. 1 but isdisplaced upwards by 100 KHz. Continuing in this manner, each successivezone is shifted upwards by 100 KHz producing a staggered arrangement ofassigned zone frequency bands. In this manner, a 10 zone system occupiesthe frequency band from 99 MHz to 101.9 MHz. The sweep rate wouldgenerally be slow, say 20 KHz; therefore, the center frequency of thecarriers may be assumed to move in accordance with the sweep wave form.

The data superimposed on the carrier is also assumed to occupy abandwidth which is very small compared to the ±1.0 MHz sweep. Inparticular, it is assumed in the example that the modulation sidebandstogether with the reduced sweep as obtained at the output of the mixer74 in FIG. 4 occupy a band of less than the spacing between the zones,i.e. less than 100 KHz. Due to the common sweep signal which isconnected to all ZTRs, and the synchronism of the system, the 100 KHzseparation between the zones remains throughout the sweeping pattern atevery instant of time. The carrier frequencies of the zones move inunison from the left edge 150 until reaching the right edge 152 and thenback. At any intermediate point, such as 154, the carrier frequenciesare still 100 KHz apart; therefore, there can be no interference betweenany transmissions even though overall they overlap in frequency. This istrue for any sweep shape as long as it is the same for all zones in thesystem.

The center frequencies of the receivers 110 will be displaced by thesame intervals as the transmissions. These receivers may for exampleincorporate in the sweep signal conditioners 88 known devices forlimiting the sweep signal to be within a prescribed range, to assurethat the frequency of the FM modulator always will remain in thespecified range for its associated ZTR. To simplify acquisition of theZTR carrier, the receivers also may be provided in their PLLs withcontrolled oscillators which when quiescent-running set the basic sweepfrequency of the FM modulator 78 at a value which is very nearly exactlyequal to the sweep frequency of the incoming carrier, so that thefeedback action of the PLL has only to provide a trimming function.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in another multi-zone arrangement, the centerfrequencies of the zones are the same, but the sweep in each zone isassigned a different phase. Thus the instantaneous center frequenciesare here also different for each zone, at least in the forward part ofthe cycle. FIG. 10 shows that in this arrangement when zone No. 1 is atthe beginning of the band, then the highest zone is at the other edge ofthe band. There could be interference, however, during the returnportion of the cycle. Therefore, the sweep waveshape should provide afast return and the illustration is for a sawtooth wave. In addition,blanking may be used in the transmitter to prevent transmission duringthe return portion of the sweep as indicated in FIG. 3. Also, in thereceiver, this part of the data may be blanked by a signal derived fromthe sweep signal conditioner 88 in FIG. 4. This form is more efficientin bandwidth since the frequency bands of the zones are fullyoverlapping.

With reference again to FIG. 3, the data source may for example producea binary stream of two different positive levels of a much smalleramplitude than that of the output of the sweep source 54. For example,while the sweep source may produce a carrier sweep of ±1.0 MHz rangewith a sweep rate of 20 KHz for a 100 KHz separation between zones, adata rate of 10 KHz could be utilized. Thus, in the receiver, at theoutput of the FM discriminator 80 (FIG. 4), the data and sweep signalscan be separated for example by means of filters since their frequenciesare selected to be appropriately different.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedherein in detail, it is desired to emphasize that this is for thepurpose of illustrating the principles of the invention, and should notnecessarily be construed as limiting of the invention since it isapparent that those skilled in this art can make many modifiedarrangements of the invention without departing from the true scopethereof. For example, although a common sweep signal is developed at thecentral station for use by all of the ZTRs, alternatively the centralstation could be arranged to develop synchronizing clock pulses to besent to all of the ZTRs to control individual sweep generators at thoseunits. Also, although a fully synchronized system is preferred forobtaining the many important advantages resulting from instantaneouslydifferent carrier frequencies, in accordance with the disclosure, incertain applications where inter-zone interference may not be so severeit is possible to obtain satisfactory performance using non-synchronizedzone transmitter/receiver units, that is, having random sweeprelationships between zone transmitters.

I claim:
 1. An industrial process control system for use with a complexprocess wherein portions of the process are spread out geographicallyover a field area and wherein the process has a number of variableconditions to be controlled such as temperature, flow rate, and thelike; said process having therewith sensing elements for developingmeasurement signals reflecting the magnitudes of corresponding processconditions and valves or other actuators with operating elementsassociated therewith for controllably influencing selected processvariables; said process control system comprising:(1) a central stationhaving a digital computer for carrying out data processing stepsconcerning said process conditions and for producing command signals forpredetermined process elements including address signals identifying anyparticular element and instruction signals indicating specified actionsto be taken with respect to an identified element; (2) a primarytransmitter/receiver unit coupled to said central station to receivecommand signals from said digital computer and including:(a) means fordeveloping a swept-carrier output signal for transmission to said fieldarea; (b) means for modulating said swept-carrier output signal withdata signals corresponding to said command signals; (c) means to receiveand track swept-carrier signals carrying data signals from said fieldarea representing information to be forwarded on to said digitalcomputer; (d) means to demodulate said data signals received from saidfield area to produce information signals for said digital computer; (3)a first plurality of local transmitter/receiver units in said field arearemote from said central station, each such unit being assigned to atleast one respective operating element and comprising:(a) means toreceive and track the swept-carrier signal developed and transmitted bysaid primary transmitter/receiver unit; (b) means to demodulate saiddata signals carried by the received swept-carrier signal; (c) functionmeans for carrying out the actions represented by the instructionsignals incorporated in said data signals including means for producingcontrol signals to be directed to the assigned operating element; (d)means responsive to the address signal part of said data signals toactivate said function means when the address signals identify therespective local unit as the recipient; (4) a second plurality of localtransmitter/receiver units in said field area remote from said centralstation, each such unit being assigned to at least one respectivesensing element and comprising:(a) means to receive and track theswept-carrier signal developed and transmitted by said primarytransmitter/receiver unit; (b) means to demodulate said data signalscarried by the received swept-carrier signal; (c) means for transmittinga swept-carrier signal to said primary transmitter/receiver unit to bereceived and tracked by said receiving means of said primarytransmitter/receiver unit; (d) means to modulate said swept-carriersignal with data signals reflecting the measurement signals developed bythe assigned sensing element; (e) means responsive to the instructionsignal part of said data signals for developing transmit control signalsto activate said transmitting means to transmit the data signalmodulated swept-carrier signal; (f) means responsive to the addresssignal part of said data signals to activate said transmit controlsignal means when the address signals identify the respective local unitas the recipient.
 2. A process control system as in claim 1, including aplurality of primary transmitter/receiver units as identified inparagraph (2) of claim 1; andfurther sets of local transmitter/receiverunits as identified in paragraphs (3) and (4), with said sets beingassigned to respective primary transmitter/receiver units fortransferring data signals therebetween.
 3. A process control system asin claim 2, wherein the carriers of said primary transmitter/receiverunits are swept in synchronism with all carriers at differentfrequencies at least at substantially all times.
 4. A process controlsystem as in claim 1, including means to convey from said centralstation to said primary transmitter/receiver a sweep signal for sweepingthe carrier of the transmitter section thereof, and for synchronizingthe receiver section thereof with swept-carrier transmissions receivedfrom said local transmitter/receivers.
 5. A process control system as inclaim 4, wherein the receiver sections of said localtransmitter/receiver units include sweep memory means operable tosynchronize the transmitter section thereof during the times of localtransmission back to the primary transmitter/receiver units.
 6. Aprocess control system as in claim 1, wherein at least some of saidlocal transmitter/receivers include a narrowband tracking filter toreject interfering noise outside the band of frequencies occupied by thecarrier and the data modulation sidebands.
 7. A process control systemas in claim 1, including means for frequency-modulating the sweptcarrier with data signals.
 8. A process control system as in claim 7,wherein said data signals are binary signals.
 9. A process controlsystem as in claim 8, wherein the two states of said binary signalsproduce differing amounts of frequency shift of the swept carrier. 10.An industrial process control system for use with a complex processwherein portions of the process are spread out geographically over afield area and wherein the process has a number of variable conditionsto be controlled such as temperature, flow rate, and the like; saidprocess having therewith sensing elements for developing measurementsignals reflecting the magnitudes of corresponding process conditionsand valves or other actuators with operating elements associatedtherewith for controllably influencing selected process variables; saidprocess control system comprising:(1) a central station having a digitalcomputer for carrying out data processing steps concerning said processconditions and for producing command signals for predetermined processelements including address signals identifying any particular elementand instruction signals indicating specified actions to be taken withrespect to an identified element; (2) a primary transmitter/receiverunit coupled to said central station to receive command signals fromsaid digital computer and including:(a) means for developing aswept-carrier output signal for transmission to said field area; (b)means for modulating said swept-carrier output signal with data signalscorresponding to said command signals; (c) means to receive and trackswept-carrier signals carrying data signals from said field arearepresenting information to be forwarded on to said digital computer;(d) means to demodulate said data signals received from said field areato produce information signals; and (3) a set of localtransmitter/receiver units in said field area remote from said centralstation, each such unit being assigned to at least one respectiveprocess element and comprising:(a) means to receive and track theswept-carrier signal developed and transmitted by said primarytransmitter/receiver unit; (b) means to demodulate said data signalscarried by the received swept-carrier signal; (c) means for transmittinga swept-carrier signal to said central station to be received andtracked by said receiving means of said primary transmitter/receiverunit; (d) means to modulate said swept-carrier signal with data signalsreflecting the information signals concerning the assigned processelement; (e) means responsive to the instruction signal part of saiddata signals for developing transmit control signals to activate saidtransmitting means to transmit said data signal modulated swept-carriersignal; and (f) means responsive to the address signal part of said datasignals to activate said transmit control signal means when the addresssignals identify the respective local unit as the recipient.
 11. Aprocess control system as in claim 10, wherein at least one of saidassigned process elements is a local process controller supplied withmeasurement signals and producing control signals for an associatedprocess actuator such as a valve.
 12. A process control system as inclaim 10, wherein at least one of said assigned process elements is adevice for controlling a respective process valve.
 13. A process controlsystem as in claim 10, wherein at least one of said assigned processelements is a sensing element producing a measurement signal reflectingthe value of a process condition.
 14. A process control system as inclaim 10, including a plurality of primary transmitter/receiver units asspecified in paragraph (2) of claim 1, each assigned to a respectivezone of said field area; andfurther sets of local transmitter/receiverunits as specified in paragraph (3) with each set assigned to andlocated in one of said zones for conveying information signals betweenthe field area and the corresponding primary transmitter/receiver unit.15. A process control system as in claim 14, wherein the carriers ofsaid primary transmitter/receiver units are swept in synchronism withall carriers being at different frequencies at least at substantiallyall times.
 16. A process control system as in claim 15, wherein saidcarriers are swept with a sinusoidal sweep shape.
 17. A process controlsystem as in claim 15, wherein said carriers are swept with a sawtoothsweep shape with a fast return.
 18. A process control system as in claim17, wherein said carriers are swept with a different preassigned phasefor each zone.
 19. A process control system as in claim 18, wherein atleast some of said transmitter/receiver units include blanking means forattenuating the operation during the fast return portion of the cycle.20. A process control system as in claim 19, wherein the blanking meansis in the transmitter part of the unit.
 21. A process control system asin claim 20, wherein the blanking means is in the receiver part of theunit.
 22. A process control system as in claim 10, including means tocouple a sweep signal from said central station to said primarytransmitter/receiver unit.
 23. A process control system as in claim 10,including means for frequency modulating the swept carrier with binarydata signals.
 24. An industrial process control system for use with acomplex process wherein portions of the process are spread outgeographically over a field area and wherein the process has a number ofvariable conditions to be controlled such as temperature, flow rate, andthe like; said process having therewith sensing elements for developingmeasurement signals reflecting the magnitudes of corresponding processconditions and valves or other actuators with operating elementsassociated therewith for controllably influencing selected processvariables; said process control system comprising:(1) a central stationhaving a digital computer for carrying out data processing stepsconcerning said process conditions and for producing command signals forpredetermined process elements including address signals identifying anyparticular element and instruction signals indicating specified actionsto be taken with respect to an identified element; (2) a primarytransmitter/receiver unit coupled to said central station to receivecommand signals from said digital computer and including:(a) means fordeveloping a swept-carrier output signal for transmission to said fieldarea; (b) means for modulating said swept-carrier output signal withdata signals corresponding to said command signals; (c) means to receiveand track swept-carrier signals carrying data signals from said fieldarea representing information to be forwarded on to said digitalcomputer; (d) means to demodulate said data signals received from saidfield area to produce information signals for said digital computer; (3)a plurality of local transmitter/receiver units in said field arearemote from said central station, each such unit being assigned to atleast one respective sensing element and comprising:(a) means to receiveand track the swept-carrier signal developed and transmitted by saidprimary transmitter/receiver unit; (b) means to demodulate said datasignals carried by the received swept-carrier signal; (c) means fortransmitting a swept-carrier signal to said primary transmitter/receiverunit to be received and tracked by said receiving means of said primarytransmitter/receiver unit; (d) means to modulate said swept-carriersignal with data signals reflecting the measurement signals developed bythe assigned sensing element; (e) means responsive to the instructionsignal part of said data signals for developing transmit control signalsto activate said transmitting means to transmit the data signalmodulated swept-carrier signal; (f) means responsive to the addresssignal part of said data signals to activate said transmit controlsignal means when the address signals identify the respective local unitas the recipient.
 25. A process control system as in claim 24, includinga plurality of local receivers in said field area remote from saidcentral station, each such receiver being assigned to at least onerespective valve operating element and comprising;(a) means to receiveand track the swept-carrier signal developed and transmitted by saidprimary transmitter/receiver unit; (b) means to demodulate said datasignals carried by the received swept-carrier signal; (c) function meansfor carrying out the actions represented by the instruction signalsincorporated in said data signals including means for producing controlsignals to be directed to the assigned valve operating element; and (d)means responsive to the address signal part of said data signals toactivate said function means when the address signals identify therespective local unit as the recipient.
 26. An industrial processcontrol system for use with a complex process wherein portions of theprocess are spread out geographically over a field area and wherein theprocess has a number of variable conditions to be controlled such astemperature, flow rate, and the like; said process having therewithprocess elements in the form of sensing elements for developingmeasurement signals reflecting the magnitudes of corresponding processconditions, and valves or other actuators with operating elementsassociated therewith for controllably influencing selected processvariables; said sensing elements and actuators being dispersedthroughout said field area in accordance with the particular nature ofthe process; said process control system comprising:(1) a centralstation having means for carrying out data processing steps concerningsaid process conditions and for producing command signals forpredetermined process elements including address signals identifying anyparticular element and instruction signals indicating specified actionsto be taken with respect to an identified element; (2) a plurality ofzone transmitter/receiver units coupled to said central station toreceive command signals from said digital computer; each of saidtransmitter/receiver units being physically located in proximity to arespective distinctive zone of said field area containing acorresponding set of said elements; each zone unit including:(a) meansfor developing a swept-carrier output signal for transmission to itsassigned zone; (b) means for modulating said swept-carrier output signalwith data signals corresponding to the command signals received from thecentral station; (c) means to receive and track swept-carrier signalscarrying data signals from the assigned zone representing information tobe forwarded on to said central station; (d) means to demodulate saiddata signals received from said field area to produce informationsignals for said central station; (3) a plurality of sets of localtransmitter/receiver units in said field area remote from said centralstation; each such set being assigned to a corresponding zonetransmitter/receiver unit; and each local transmitter/receiver unitbeing assigned to at least one respective element and comprising:(a)means to receive and track the swept-carrier signal developed andtransmitted by the zone transmitter/receiver unit assigned thereto; (b)means to demodulate the data signals carried by the trackedswept-carrier signal; (c) means for transmitting a swept-carrier signalto the assigned zone transmitter/receiver to be received and tracked bysaid receiving means thereof; (d) means to modulate said swept-carriersignal with data signals reflecting information respecting an assignedelement; (e) means responsive to the instructional signal part of saiddata signals from said zone unit for developing transmit control signalsto activate said transmitter; (f) means responsive to the address signalpart of said zone data signals to activate said transmit control signalmeans when the address signals identify the respective local units asthe recipient and the instruction signals specify that a message is tobe transmitted back to the assigned zone unit; and (4) means forsweeping the carriers of all of said zone transmitter/receiver units insynchronism, and with the carrier frequency thereof being maintained atdifferent values at least at substantially all times, whereby to avoidinterzone interference effects.
 27. A process control system as in claim26, wherein said synchronizing means maintains a substantially constantdifferential between the carrier frequencies of said zonetransmitter/receiver units at all times;the center carrier frequenciesof said zone units being spaced sufficiently far apart to preventoverlap with adjacent-frequency channels in the presence of datamodulation.
 28. A process control system as in claim 27, wherein all ofsaid zone transmitter/receiver units are swept with synchronizedsine-wave sweep signals.
 29. A process control system as in claim 26,wherein the carriers of said zone transmitter/receiver units are sweptin synchronism but with a preassigned phase differential.
 30. A processcontrol system as in claim 29, wherein the sweep of said carriers is asawtooth wave with a fast return.
 31. A process control system as inclaim 30, including means to disable the functioning of selected unitsduring the fast return portion of the sweep.